Shoe



Sept. 23,-1941. 'T GU'TWEIN Y 2,256,900

SHOE I Filed NOV. 29, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

THEODORE GUTWE/N HIS A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 23, 1941. T. GUTWI4EIN SHOE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 29, 19-37 INVENTOR. THEODORE GUTWE/N BY y HIS ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 23, 1941.

T. GUTWEIN 2,256,900

SHOE

Filed Nov. 29, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

THEODORE GUTWE/N HIS A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 23, 1941 T OFFICE,

SHOE

Theodore Gutwein, Dayton, Ohio, assignor of one-third to Theodore O. Dye, Oakwood, Ohio.

Application November 29, 1937, Serial No. 176,956

6 Claims.

This invention relates to shoes and their method of manufacture, and is directed more particularly to a filler to be inserted between the insole and outsole of the shoe.

The object of the invention is to provide a filler of sponge rubber so arranged and attached as to provide a shoe which is comfortable to the wearer. It is intended to provide a novel and economical method of manufacture for a filler strip of sponge rubber having means for anchoring the strip in the shoe.

In one aspect, this invention is a variation or modification, or more extended application, of the invention disclosed in my application Serial No. 114,027, filed December 3, 1936. Particular advantages are inherent in the invention which will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, while the invention consists of the elements and steps and their combination as specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a view showing a sheet of filler material and illustrating a step of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view showing a blank of filler terial and another step of the invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section on 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view partly in section shoe of the McKay type embodying the invenline .tion.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on line 5-5, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an insole with the filler strip attached to the insole as used in Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a bottom view partly in section of a welt shoe embodying the invention.

Fig. 8 is a cross section on line 88, Fig. "I.

Fig. 9 is a cross section on line 99, Fig. '7.

A sheet of filler material is first prepared by vulcanizing a fabric to one side of a sheet of sponge rubber. Thus by heat and pressure the rubber impregnates the fabric and the fabric is substantially embedded in the rubber. While it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to any particlar thickness of sponge rubber nor to any weight or grade of fabric, a more particular description of materials may be made to assist in understanding and practicing the invention. The sheet of sponge rubber is preferably $5 or inch in thickness, although for some purposes thicker material may be desired while thinner material will seldom if ever be used. It has been found that cotton duck ofa' of a weight of 9 ounces to the yard, is a satisfactory fabric for the purpose.

Fig. 1 illustrates a sheet of prepared filler material with the sponge rubber designated by the numeral I and the fabric by the numeral 2. The operation of vulcanizing the fabric to the rubber so intimately associates the fabric and the rubber with an impregnation of the rubber into the interstices of the fabric that, when viewed from the fabric side, the duck has the appearance of cheese cloth.

A clicker die D may be used preferably to die out the blank from which is formed a filler strip or member. The contour of the blank will conform to the shape and size desired for ming operation by which a strip of rubber is removed or skived from the periphery of the blank leaving a strip 3 about the periphery in which the rubber is removed down to the fabric, thus making the outer portion merely rubberized fabric and providing preferably a bevelled shoulder 4. V

By the operations described a filler member is provided having a layer of sponge rubber intimately associated with or substantially em,- bedding a layer of fabric with a wing or strip of rubberized fabric extending outwardly about the periphery of the member, and which is utilized as an anchoring or attaching device for the filler member. The following description will show how the member may be embodied in shoes. The embodiment shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, includes certain conventional elements of a McKay shoe, including an upper 5 having a liningt and arranged with its inner edges 1 turned over the edges of an insole 8. The shoe includes an outsole 9, which is attached to the upper by a line of stitches Ill passing through the insole, the inturned edges of the upper and the outsole. The McKay shoe as illustrated in these figures, may be constructed according to the ordinary methods of manufacture, except as to the insertion of the novel filler section which includes, as previously described, a layer of sponge rubber I vulcanized to a layer of fabric 2 and having an extended wing or attaching strip 3 comprising substantially rubberized fabric. The filler member may be co-extensive in size with the forepart of the insole, as shown in Fig. 6 or, for the sake of economy, may be made somewhat smaller, but preferably it will extend far enough toward the edge of the insole 8 to becut by the stitches Ill. The area of the sponge rubber portion, as defined by the shoulder 4, is so positioned as to lie substantially within the inturned edges 1 of the upper and at least within the line of stitches ID.

The filler strip may be attached to the insole 8 by. cement. The fabric face of the filler strip will be adjacent the insole and hence there is provided a substantial attaching surface of the cement. It will be understood, of course, that stitches or other means may be used for attaching the filler strip to the insole although cement is preferable and will be used under most circumstances.

After the filler member has been secured to the insole a series of perforations H may be stamped through the filler strip and the insole for the purposes of ventilation. Actual practice has shown that the use of these perforations passing through at least the insole, and preferably also the filler strip, adds materially to the comfort of the shoe preventing the foot from heating.

In lasting a shoe of the McKay type, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, staples I2 passing through and engaging the edge of the upper, the wing strip 3 and the insole 8 may be used. In bottoming the shoe the line of stitches Ill will engage the insole, the outsole and preferably pass through the wing strip 3, as well as the inturned edges 1 of the upper.

The embodiments shown in Figs. 7 to 9, apart from the construction and arrangement of the filler section, include conventional features of a Goodyear welt shoe. It includes an upper l4, having its edges turned over the edge of an insole l5 and secured by an inseam I6 to a lip ll, the stitches 16 also engaging a welt l8. An outsole I9 is attached to the upper by a line of stitches 20 passing through the outsole and the welt.

The embodiments specifically illustrated in the drawings has a nailed heel seat; the inturned edges of the upper being secured by tacks 2| which engage the insole IS. The outsole and -a heel lift 22 may be attached to the upper by nails 23.

a filler and this arrangement is illustrated ini the drawings. It will be understood that the section 24 and 25 each has a layer of sponge rubber l, a layer of fabric 2 with an attaching wing of rubberized fabric extending outwardly from the body of the sponge rubber, as described previously in detail.

The extended edge of the fabric is out somewhat smaller than the contour of the sole. In a typical construction the blank is cut 3% inch smaller all around than the insole pattern and the rubber is skived oif around the shoulder 4 to leave a strip of rubberized fabric inch in width. With this arrangement the sponge rubber portion fits within the inseam l6 while the outer edge of the fabric lies just within the Welt seam 20. The blank may be cut to a size so that the fabric may extend outwardly far enough to be engaged by the welt seam 20 and this is desirable in heavy duty shoes, but in dress shoes the blank should be small enough to permit the outer edge lying within and out of engagement by the welt seam. The extended fabric wing lying between parts of the welt and the outsole is sufficient to securely'anchor the filler strip for ordinary wear.

In placing the toe strip or section 24 the rubber face of the filler member will be placed against the insole, leaving the fabric adjacent the outsole. The heel section 25'may be arranged in like manner but, as shown in Fig. 9, it is arranged oppositely. In either event the wing 3, where a nailed heel seat is used, will be tucked under the inturned edge of the upper and will be engaged by the tacks 2|, which pass through the edge of the upper and into the insole. If a sewed heel seat is used the edge 3 of the fabric will be arranged at the heel portion of the shoe as it is arranged at the forepart, that is, it will lie between the welt and the outsole.

Sometimes it is desired to provide a filler at the heel thicker than the forepart of the shoe. This is accomplished by providing a recess in the heel. In that case a filler section for the heel may be made from a thicker sponge rubber stock; hence there is an added advantage in using separate toe and heel sections. Or, for the heel part two superimposed filler members may be used.

It will be obvious that in certain processes of shoe manufacture which differ from or which are modifications of prevailing types, specific arrangements may be used which are not herein described but which will be apparent from the foregoing description of the two particular types taken with the knowledge generally of the art.

The advantages of a shoe employing this invention should be obvious from the foregoing description. The sponge rubber gives a soft cushion to the foot while the particular structure described prevents the rubber or filler from creeping and piling up in ridges or lumps. The extended edge of fabric forms adequate anchoring means while the fabric face of the strip makes its attachment by cement satisfactory. The intimate and continuous association between the sponge rubber and the fabric insures a uniform thickness of sponge rubber through the life of the shoe.

The invention provides advantages in manufacture. The sheet of material with the fabric vulcanized to the rubber may be prepared economically and the blanks may be died out cheaply. The rubber about the periphery of the blank may be removed quickly and economically by machines which are well known in the art. The result as a Whole is a satisfactory filler member including sponge rubber which is provided with satisfactory attaching means at a low cost and the member may be readily included in the shoe by ordinary methods of manufacture.

Preferred methods of applying the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, but it will be obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction, some of which have been suggested, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention and that parts of the invention may be used to advantage without th whole.

I claim:

1. In a shoe, a sole cushion member comprising a layer of fabric and a layer of sponge rubber smaller in extent than the layer of fabric with the fabric substantially embedded in and vulcanized to the rubber throughout the extent of the sponge rubber layer, whereby a wing of fabric about and beyond the sponge rubber is provided for anchoring the member to the shoe.

2. In a shoe having an outer sole, an inner sole and an upper having its marginal edges extending over the edge of the inner sole and positioned between said soles, the combination comprising a cushion member inserted between said soles and consisting of a layer of sponge rubber superimposed upon and vulcanized throughout its extent to a layer of fabric, the sponge rubber being smaller in extent than the fabric, and means for securing the fabric beyond the rubber to at least one of said soles.

3. In a shoe having an outer sole, an inner sole and an upper having its marginal edges extending over the edge of the inner sole and positioned between said soles, the combination comprising a cushion member inserted between said soles and consisting of a layer of sponge rubber superimposed upon and vulcanized throughout its extent to a layer of fabric, the rubber being smaller in extent than the fabric, and stitches securing the outer sole with the shoe and passing through the fabric beyond the sponge rubber.

4. In a shoe having an outer sole, an inner sole and an upper having its marginal edges extending over the edge of the inner sole and positioned between said soles, the combination comprising a cushion member inserted between said soles and consisting of a layer of sponge rubber superimposed upon and vulcanized throughout its extent to a layer of fabric, the sponge rubber being smaller in extent than the fabric, the edge, of the fabric extending between the inturned edge of the upper and the inner sole, and means for securing the fabric beyond the rubber to the upper.

5. In a shoe having an outer sole, an inner sole and an upper having its marginal edges extending over the edge of the inner sole and positioned between said soles, the combination comprising a cushion member inserted between said soles and consisting of a layer of sponge rubber superimposed upon and vulcanized throughout its extent to a layer of fabric, the sponge rubber being smaller in extent than the fabric, and stitches uniting the outer sole, the inner sole and the upper and passing through the fabric beyond the rubber.

6. In a welt shoe the combination comprising an outer sole, an inner sole, an upper having its marginal edges extending over the inner sole and positioned between said soles, the cushion member inserted between said soles and consisting of a layer of sponge rubber superimposed upon and vulcanized throughout its extent to a layer of fabric, the sponge rubber being smaller in extent than the fabric, and stitches securing the outer sole to the welt and securing the fabric between the welt and the outsole beyond the sponge rubber.

THEODORE GUTWEIN. 

